Tuesday, July 26, 2011

The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah said Monday rulers should not be shielded from the truth and must be told the real story.In addition, rulers should never be surrounded by people with personal interests who are willing to use them as tools.

"Rulers must have advisers who are sincere, sensitive to the people's needs and bold enough to state the truth," he said at 'Wacana Ilmu Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) with the theme "The Role of Malay Rulers in Nurturing Unity" at Dewan Agong Tuanku Canselor here.

Raja Nazrin said rulers should be willing to accept the facts, no matter how bitter, as justice could not be upheld without the truth.

"Rulers can't play a meaningful role if they are given a rosy picture. The false impression is unfair as he is denied the right to carry out his responsibilities fairly."

He said that shielding rulers from the truth would only separate them from the people, making it difficult for the rulers to address issues of integrity, statehood, loyalty and unity.

"It is unwise if the nation and people choose to reject reality, blurring the vision as to real reasons that affect unity."

Raja Nazrin said stiff political competition had exploited sensitive religious and racial issues and the dissatisfaction of the people.

"In all conflicts, no one party is right all the time and no one party is wrong all the time.”

"Rulers must use wisdom to calm the situation but they do not have a "magic lamp" to keep the unity especially when the siutation has become chaotic."

Raja Nazrin said the rulers' role was to give advice privately so that it is not misinterpreted as directly interfering with the administration. - Bernama

Friday, July 15, 2011

April last year I posted an article on this specific clock tower situated next to the famed Zahir Mosque, Alor Star, Kedah, Malaysia. It was overgrown with little parasitic plants overhanging the edges of the clock.

It prompted me then to submit an email followed by a letter highlighting the situation for the direct attention of the honourable Chief Minister of The Kedah State.

As I passed by the very clock tower last month, I noticed a squeaky clean tower. What a beautiful sight. So relieved and thankful that at long last the beauty has been fully restored. Whether by coincident or vide the prompting of my letter, it is irrelevant.

The beautiful sight of this historic clock tower is a delight that everyone should cherished…